Obama honors Bob Dylan, Toni Morrison, Madeleine Albright and more at Medal of Freedom ceremony

President Barack Obama presents rock legend Bob Dylan with a Medal of Freedom, Tuesday, May 29, 2012, during a ceremony at the White House in Washington.

/ AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

Updated: 5:14 p.m. ET

(CBS News) In a ceremony honoring 2012 recipients of the Medal of Freedom, President Obama on Tuesday said he was "extremely grateful" to be able to personally thank the honorees "for the great work they have done" in America and worldwide.

In remarks at the White House, the president celebrated each honoree for "the incredible impact they have had on so many people, not in short, blinding bursts, but steadily over the course of a lifetime."

"What's wonderful about these events for me is so many of these people are my heroes individually," Mr. Obama told the honorees before the presentation of medals. "I know how they impacted my life."

Among this year's Medal of Freedom recipients were: folk singer Bob Dylan; Nobel Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison; former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; public servant John Doar, who led efforts in the 1960s to protect and enforce civil rights; physician and epidemiologist William Foege, who helped lead the successful campaign to eradicate smallpox; astronaut and former Senator John Glenn; Gordon Hirabayashi, who openly defied the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II; Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association; Jan Karski, an officer in the Polish Underground during World War II; Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low; Israeli President Shimon Peres; former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, and University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt.

Citing the work of Morrison, Mr. Obama spoke of how the recipients onstage had informed his intellectual development and world vision. He also declared himself a "really big fan" of Dylan, who accepted his medal, stony-faced, in dark sunglasses.

"I remember reading 'Song of Solomon' when I was a kid, and not just trying to figure out how to write, but also how to be and how to think," the president said of Morrison's book. "And I remember, you know, in college listening to Bob Dylan, and my world opening up, because he captured something about this country that was so vital."

"Everybody on this stage has marked my life in profound ways," Mr. Obama continued. "Somebody like Pat Summitt, you know, when I think about my two daughters, who are tall and gifted, and knowing that because of folks like Coach Summitt, they're standing up straight and diving after loose balls and feeling confident and strong, then I understand that the impact that these people have had extends beyond to me. It will continue for generations to come."

The Medal of Freedom is America's highest civilian honor, which the president remarked was reflected in how many people showed up for the awards ceremony.

"I have to say, just looking around the room, this is a packed house, which is a testament to how cool this group is," he quipped. "Everybody wanted to check 'em out."

16 Photos

Medal of Freedom

[janeteleanor]

Doesn't seem that anyone is aware that this DORIS HUERTA IS A MARKIST! Check it out.

[boocbsboooooooooo]

This Obama guy was the guy that always showed up and never chipped in for any beer.

[JLConway_]

Obama is as bad as Budweiser Joe Biden in being the gaffe master.
And the left thought he was better than Bush when it came to speaking.
Not Hardley!
LOL

[operatio]

Obama shame on you! You have given the medal to polish freedom fighter and in the same time you have insulted him and whole his nation with your words! Shame on you! You have insulted all what was Jan Karski and his nation! How could you called German death camp in occupied by Germans Poland, designed to exterminated Polish and Jewish nations a "polish death camp"?????? You wanted to insulted those who died there or are you just stupid?

[scyllla9]

Yes, he's not that bright.

[bilrobi1]

It was s slip. In fact the Nazi camps were in Poland. There was in fact Polish collaborators. But it's true that it happened in Nazi occupied Poland. Speaking of slips,did you see were Romney misspelled America. He spelled it Amercia. I'm no fan of Romney. As a life long resident of Massachusetts I know that he care little for the middle class. That aside, Romney made a mistake (however the misspelling was still on his website this morning). It happens. Just like it happens for President Obama. Ans scylla. Our President has accomplished many thing you will never come near accomplishing. So if he "isn't that bright',how dumb must you be?

[Nocults]

Since when did John Glenn get a fright wig to wear with his sunglasses??

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[marychgo]

A quick look at Wikipedia reveals the Presidential Medal of Freedom was established in 1963, and recognizes outstanding achievement in many fields. Past recipients in music are a highly eclectic bunch, ranging from classical performers (Placido Domingo, Yoyo Ma) to popular singers (Aretha Franklin, B. B. King, Tennessee Ernie Ford) to composers (Eubie Blake, Meredith Wilson). I suspect we all can find several recipients we love and respect and a couple whose presence puzzles us.

[RichZubaty]

Bob Dylan? The Polish underground? A woman's basket ball coach? The Medal of Freedom? Must be an election year. Chicago politics has arrived at the White House. A chicken in every pot and a feather for every Indian. This man has no idea how to be president, but he sure knows how to campaign.

[Overruled1]

So you know so much about it.....advise him because he is going to be reelected.

[bobnjersey]

[This man has no idea how to be president, but he sure knows how to campaign.]
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a simple look at presidential history would show he's not alone in your assessement ... since nearly every one of the past presidents came to the job without being a president before ... and used the skills they had ... and those they surrounded themselves with ... to do the job as best as they could ... some better than others.

[takacrat]

This medals first for Civilians in Combat. The Military didn't have a medial to award a Civilian that was caught up or involved in active combat that should have been awarded for actions above and beyond the call of duty.
Now it is given to movie-stars, congressman, head-liners,,, WANT-A-BEES!!!!

[Overruled1]

These medals weren't necessarily for war.

[Nocults]

This is a medal for contributions to the USA, and the world.

[aintfakin]

jbrote47 May 29, 2012 7:00 PM EDT
Bob Dylan getting this medal makes as much sense as obama getting the noble peace prize.
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how does it feel to be one of the bitter lunatic fringe?
I'll bet even Toby Kieth has recorded one of his songs.
a hundred bucks says you haven't done a thing in your life worth a micro gram of goat manure

[Overruled1]

Well George Bush wasn't going to get it....

[aintfakin]

I knew it
as soon as I logged on I see these mealy mouthed right wingers going after Obama and the award.....in effect defecating on these fine people that won them.
these posters aren't worth a hair on any of the award winners a zs